Wednesday, November 23, 2011

We're almost halfway there! I'm still mostly looking fat, but starting to get a bit of a bump!

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper)
and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs —
movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead.
His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are
now in their final position, although they're still standing out from
his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form
around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's
born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed
and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now,
but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
See what your baby looks like this week.Note:
Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our
information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's
development.

How your life's changing:

Hungry?
An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by
choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty
calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more
comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.
Your
cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this
trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't
spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a
little dizzy.
From
now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at
least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your
uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to
your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper
leg for comfort.
If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound,
you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your
practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth
defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the
due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're
carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or
sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a
printout for your baby's first photo album!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Here is my 15 week belly in all it's glory!

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).
She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory
tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to
develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move
all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut,
she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for
instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for
your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.
Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find
out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if
it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on
the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be
modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")
See what your baby looks like this week.Note:
Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our
information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's
development.

How your life's changing:

You've
probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine,
too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be
surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up,
for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of
hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This
condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of
pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of
increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
If you're having amniocentesis,
it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can
identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're
getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know
that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their
babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.
Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry
about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But
with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is
also a wonderful trimester for most women.